Bullshot Crummond (2008)

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Poster by Mark Davies, image by Hazel Hindle

by Ron House, Diz White, John Neville-Andrews, Alan Shearman, and Derek Cunningham.

Based on idea by Ron House and Diz White.

Directed by James Hough

Performances of this Amateur Production will be on: Tue 20th - Sat 24th May 2008, Prompt Corner



Cast

Crew

Special Credits to Backstage Crew

Special credit too to the vocal skills of Alan Walker who not only provided the voiceover, but also (by virtue of Gerard Johnson) the sounds for:

  • The first crashing Stuka descent noise;
  • The German Converse Force Field;
  • The sounds for the cars in the car chase in Act 2; and
  • The German electric torture chair sounds!

Prop Construction etc

Music

Audience coming in:

  • Eric Coates - The Merrymakers overture and Covent Garden / Knightsbridge from the London Suite

Opening sequence for the voiceover:

  • "Wenn die SS und die SA Aufmarschiert"

Others included: German national anthem; Wagner's "Ride of the Valkyries" and "Siegfried's Death and Funeral March"; Mussorgsky's "Night on a Bare Mountain"; "Morning" from Grieg's Pier Gynt suite; Bach's Fantasia and Fuge in G minor (BWV542) played on the organ of the Jesitenkirche, Lucerne; Listzt's paino concero no 1 (the "Triangle Concerto"), first movement; "The King is Still in London" (Billy Cotton and his band); "Furioso No 1" (The Crawford Light Orchestra); "The Devil's Gallop" (Charles Williams and his orchestra); "Everything Stops for Tea", "Teddy Bears' Picnic" and "Whispering"; "Clarinet Marmalade"; the "Luftwaffe March" from the Battle of Britain film; "Deutschland Erwache", "Panzerlied" and the "Horst Wessel" song; Rachmaninoff's piano concerto no 2 (third movement, which the director had to sing in rehearsals, much to the annoyance of a certain waiter at the Carlton Tea Rooms); Rossini's William Tell Overture; Mahler's symphony no. 1 (last movement) for Lenya's "sword" moment; and music from Bernard Herrmann, namely "The Naked and the Dead", "Mysterious Island" and "Cape Fear".

Some Other Stuff

Pre show publicity stated that the play took place between the wars. However, it was decided to set the play during World War Two.

Hence, the copy of The Times was dated 13 May 1941; Matthew Lyne wore a WW2 policeman's helmet; and the following....

Fact: the planned German invasion of Britain in WW2 was "Operation Sealion" and Kent was to be invaded by Army Group A under the command of Generalfeldmarschell von Rundstedt. Hence, the following appeared in German:

Otto's map cover (the map inside was, of course, of Kent) said:

  • Very Secret
  • (Yes honest)
  • Operation Sealion
  • Map of Kent, England
  • Sector for Army Group A
  • Generalfeldmarschell von Rundstedt

The panels on the German radio said:

  • On top right hand side: "This side up"
  • On top left side: "Very important piece of German radio equipment"
  • On bottom: "Property of Army Group A. Not to be removed from the Headquarters of Generalfeldmarschell von Rundstedt. OR ELSE."

The writing on the German panel of the torture chair said:

  • "Special electronic machine for torturing British Scientists."

The writing on Otto's rubber gloves said:

  • "Right hand" and "Left hand" (on the correct ones).

Historical Mistake

Given the date of The Times, Von Brunno cannot have heard Noel Coward singing the version of "Will You Please Provide Us With A Bren Gun" which was played on his radio, as it was not recorded until 28 July 1941!

What was on the Menu at the Carlton Tea Rooms

Page 1

High Tea menu served in our Copper Kettle Restaurant between 5.00pm and 7.00pm daily

served daily in our Copper Kettle restaurant 5.00pm - 7.00pm Fillet of Haddock Orly Choice of Omelettes Deep Fried Scampi Tartare Sausage, Bacon, Egg and Black Pudding Fresh Roast Chicken and Trimmings Homemade Steak and Mushroom Pie Gammon Steak and Pineapple Prime Rump Steak Garni (2p extra) Grilled Liver and Bacon Cold: Gammon or Chicken with Seasonal Salad

All served with appropriate vegetables and potatoes, tea or coffee, toast and homemade cakes and scones.


OWING TO THE WAR, CERTAIN ITEMS MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE

Page 2

Lunch Menu

The following are samples from our Lunch Menus. Lunch is served in our Whisky Theme Lounge or Garden Room Conservatory (non-smoking), between 12.00noon and 2.15pm.

Chef’s Soup of the Day served with a Hot Bran Roll

Copper Kettle Pate

Button Mushrooms Hongroise Roast of Day

Poached Smoked Haddock and Egg

Braised Steak and Onions

Sherry Cream Trifle

Fairy Cakes (our speciality)

PLEASE NOTE THAT OYSTERS ARE OUT OF SEASON


OWING TO THE WAR, CERTAIN ITEMS MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE

Gallery

Production photos by Phil Gammon - click on thumbnails for larger images

Reminiscences and Anecdotes

Members are encouraged to write about their experiences of working on or seeing this production. Please leave your name. Anonymous entries may be deleted.

The director recalls the following:

The play was mostly set around Tunbridge Wells in Kent. On the Wednesday night, the audience included officers from Kent Police based in Tunbridge Wells itself. Also, a Royal Navy submariner attended in full uniform on the last night.

Matthew Lyne, on seeing the director glue a Luftwaffe eagle onto Lenya's parachute bag, drily commented: "The attention to detail in this show is getting a bit silly", or words to that effect.

Otto von Brunno managed to accidentally dial 999 on his mobile 'phone during a rehearsal of the car chase sequence, without realising he had done so. The phone must then have turned itself off somehow. The police heard the scene (including associated screams) and 'phoned him back. They were not amused.

Lily Howson was knocked over by a bike on the day of the dress rehearsal. Sustained some nasty scratches and a sprained knee, but, like a proper trooper, carried on despite the "spot of bother".

The director managed to partially saw through his left index finger; pierce the next one with a screwdriver; and cut the next one quite badly on a broken cake stand during the get out (medical support for the latter was kindly provided by Christopher Vian-Smith).

Lily Howson's gloves and handbag previously belonged to Leah Hough, the director's deceased grandmother.

See Also

Bullshot Cocktail (Noel Coward is supposed to have come up with this one)

Ingredients: 3/10 Vodka; 6/10 cold clear beef bouillon; 1/10 lemon juice; 1-2 dashes of Worcester Sauce; 4-6 drops of Tabasco; Pinch of celery salt; Salt and pepper

How to make it: Place some ice cubes in the shaker and add all the other ingredients. Shake for 6-8 seconds and strain into the glass. The cocktail is ready.

References

<references/> Will the Bullshot Cocktail be served at the SLT Bar during show nights! te he

External Links